The Drowned World

No cover

J. G. Ballard: The Drowned World (1999, Gollancz)

Paperback, 175 pages

Published Jan. 6, 1999 by Gollancz.

View on OpenLibrary

3 stars (1 review)

Fluctuations in solar radiation have melted the ice caps, sending the planet into a new Triassic Age of unendurable heat. London is a swamp; lush tropical vegetation grows up the walls of the Ritz and primeval reptiles are sighted, swimming through the newly-formed lagoons. Some flee the capital; others remain to pursue reckless schemes, either in the name of science or profit. While the submerged streets of London are drained in search of treasure, Dr Robert Kerans - part of a group of intrepid scientists - comes to accept this submarine city and finds himself strangely resistant to the idea of saving it.

(via 2014 Fourth Estate edition)

18 editions

BIRDS!

3 stars

ngl i internalized basically none of the plot other than the fact that there was all this drama over time and nature reverting to the triassic but because of the time it was written it describes lizards turning into dinosaurs while birds, like humans, aren’t adapting and so the whole time i was reading i was like “look me in the eye and tell me chickens wouldn’t revert to dinosaurs immediately if given the chance!” also like racism and sexism and whatnot

Subjects

  • Science Fiction